Lebanon to Transfer Over 130 Prisoners to Syria
ARK News.. A media source reported that Lebanese authorities will hand over 136 Syrian prisoners to Damascus to complete their sentences in Syrian prisons, in implementation of a bilateral agreement between Lebanon and Syria.
According to RT Arabic, Lebanon’s Internal Security Forces will transfer the prisoners on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, to the General Directorate of General Security, ahead of their deportation to Syria the following day, in line with agreed procedures.
The transfer is expected to take place via Lebanese civilian buses, which are being arranged to transport the prisoners from Lebanese territory to Syria.
It is worth noting that the Lebanese and Syrian governments signed an agreement on February 6, 2026, to transfer convicted individuals from the country of sentencing to their country of nationality, in what was described as a “historic step” toward rebuilding bilateral relations on the basis of parity and mutual respect.
The agreement includes around 300 Syrian prisoners in Lebanese prisons who have served long sentences (10 years or more), covering various crimes except rape and murder. Transferred prisoners will have the right to request retrials upon arrival in Syria.
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Nechirvan Barzani Receives Ghulam Mohammad Ishaqzai
ARK News.. President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, received on Monday, March 16, 2026, Ghulam Mohammad Ishaqzai, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Iraq, along with his accompanying delegation.
During the meeting, both sides reviewed the political and security situation in Iraq, as well as the activities and programs of the United Nations. President Barzani expressed his appreciation for the UN’s presence and role in Iraq, emphasizing the importance of continued international support for Iraq and the Kurdistan Region to Strengthening stability and addressing challenge.
For his part, Ishaqzai praised the level of cooperation and coordination demonstrated by the Kurdistan Region’s institutions with the United Nations, reaffirming the UN’s commitment to continue supporting Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
The meeting also addressed rising regional tensions and the repercussions of ongoing conflicts, with both sides stressing the need to intensify diplomatic efforts to resolve crises through peaceful means.
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Nechirvan Barzani: Kurdistan Region Not Part of Regional Complications, Will Remain a Pillar of Stability
ARK News.. President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, affirmed that the Kurdistan Region is not part of the ongoing complexities in the region and will continue, as always, to serve as a source of security and stability.
The statement came during a phone call held Monday evening, March 16, 2026, between Barzani and Ursula Von Der Leyen, President of the European Commission, to discuss regional developments and the repercussions of ongoing conflicts.
Both sides agreed on the importance of continued cooperation in addressing challenges, emphasizing the need to safeguard stability and pursue peaceful solutions to regional issues.
Barzani also expressed his appreciation for the continued support provided by the European Union to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, reiterating that the Region is not part of the current complexities and will remain a factor of security and stability.
For her part, Von Der Leyen stressed that the stability of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region is of great importance to the European Union, which considers them key partners in the region, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to continued support.
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UK Reaffirms Support for Syria and Its People
ARK News.. The United Kingdom’s Special Envoy to Syria, Ann Snow, reaffirmed her country’s support for Syria and its people, marking the 15th anniversary of the Syrian Revolution.
In a post published on X (Twitter), Snow said the anniversary represents “a moment for remembrance and reflection on everything achieved since the day of liberation,” referring to the transformations the country has experienced in recent years.
The British envoy also stressed that the United Kingdom will continue to stand alongside Syria and work with its partners to support a stable, secure, and prosperous future for all Syrians.
The remarks come as Syrians mark the 15th anniversary of the popular protests that erupted in March 2011 against the rule of former president Bashar al-Assad.
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Barzani Calls for Dialogue Between Baghdad and Erbil to Resolve Disputes
ARK News.. Masoud Barzani called on the federal government of Iraq and the government of the Kurdistan Region to hold a joint meeting to address outstanding disputes and reach agreements that could help ease tensions.
In a message issued on Monday, March 16, 2026, Barzani urged both sides to engage in dialogue to resolve contentious issues and prevent further escalation.
Text of Barzani’s Message
“In a time when our region is witnessing numerous wars and disturbances, Iraq faces the threat of multiple crises amid growing political polarization among various parties. Therefore, I call on the Iraqi federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to meet together to address outstanding issues and disputes and reach an agreement.
Such a meeting should also put an end to those opportunists who seek to inflame and deepen disagreements and crises.”
The call comes amid rising political tensions and regional instability, with Barzani emphasizing the importance of dialogue and cooperation between Baghdad and Erbil to safeguard stability in the country.
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38th Anniversary of the Halabja Chemical Attack
ARK News.. Today, Monday, March 16, 2026, marks the 38th anniversary of the chemical bombing of Halabja, which killed around 5,000 civilians and injured thousands more.
On March 16, 1988, the Iraqi Ba'athist regime carried out a chemical attack against the Kurdish population in Halabja as part of the Al‑Anfal Campaign in Kurdistan Region.
A medical investigation conducted by the United Nations concluded that mustard gas was used in the attack, along with other unidentified nerve agents.
The bombing of Halabja is widely regarded as the largest chemical weapons attack ever carried out against a civilian-populated area, resulting in the deaths of about 5,000 people and injuries to 7,000–10,000 others, most of them civilians.
Preliminary studies conducted in the affected area later revealed a significant increase in cancer rates and congenital birth defects in the years following the attack, effects that continue to be observed to this day.
After the fall of the Iraqi regime, Ali Hassan al-Majid—a senior official and commander of the Anfal campaign—was convicted of ordering the attack and was later executed in 2010.
The chemical bombing of Halabja is considered one of the most severe attacks targeting civilians of a single ethnic group, fitting the legal definition of genocide under international law, which applies when acts are committed with the intent to destroy a particular national, ethnic, or racial group.
Every year on March 16, residents of the Kurdistan Region—including government officials and citizens across different parts of Kurdistan—observe five minutes of silence in remembrance of the victims of the Halabja massacre. Many people wear black in mourning, memorial events are held, and traffic comes to a halt for five minutes to honor the victims of the tragedy.
Halabja, Halabja Chemical Attack, Anfal Campaign, Kurdistan Region, Genocide
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Barzani on Halabja Chemical Attack Anniversary: A Historic and Legal Responsibility on Iraq
ARK News.. Masoud Barzani published a message on Monday, March 16, 2026, on the X (Twitter) platform marking the 38th anniversary of the Halabja chemical attack.
Text of Barzani’s Message
“The bombing of Halabja with chemical weapons was an injustice of extreme brutality and a heinous crime against the people of Kurdistan. Nowhere else in the world has a state exterminated its own citizens with chemical weapons except in Iraq, where this major crime was committed against the people of Kurdistan.
Despite this brutal crime, there are still chauvinistic individuals in Iraq who oppose the rights of the Kurdish people. The tragedy of Halabja and other crimes of the past constitute a historical and legal responsibility on Iraq, which obliges it to compensate the people of Kurdistan.
On this anniversary, we send peace and tribute to the souls of the martyrs of Halabja and all martyrs of Kurdistan.”
The Halabja chemical attack, carried out in March 1988, remains one of the most tragic events in Kurdish history and is widely recognized as a symbol of the suffering endured by the Kurdish people during the late 20th century.
عدد المشاهدات: 22
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Araghchi: Tehran Welcomes Any Initiative That Would Fully End the War
Abbas Araghchi, Foreign Minister of Iran, stated that Tehran welcomes any initiative that could lead to a complete end to the ongoing war, noting that diplomatic contacts with regional countries are continuing.
According to remarks reported by media outlets, Araghchi said Iran remains engaged in diplomatic communications with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and other neighboring states in an effort to address the escalating conflict.
The Iranian foreign minister also said that Tehran is ready to form a joint investigation committee with regional countries regarding the targets that were attacked, suggesting that Israel may have been behind attacks on civilian targets in Arab countries.
Araghchi stressed that Iran only targeted U.S. military sites and did not carry out attacks against civilian facilities or residential areas in Arab states.
He further claimed that a drone known as “Lukas,” allegedly manufactured in the United States, and similar to Iran’s Shahed drone, could be responsible for strikes against regional targets.
According to Araghchi, the United States has developed drones of the “Lukas” model, which he said closely resemble Iranian Shahed drones and could be used to conduct strikes inside Arab countries.
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ENKS Delegation Meets French Socialist Party Representative in the European Parliament
ARK News.. A delegation from the European Representation of the Kurdish National Council in Syria held a meeting with Chloe Riddle, representative of the Socialist Party (France) in the European Parliament.
Riddle is responsible for EU foreign policy affairs within the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), a member of the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI), and oversees the humanitarian aid portfolio within the European Union.
The delegation from the Kurdish National Council’s European representation included Abdul Karim Haji, head of the representation, Mohammed Amin Omar, a member of the presidency office, and Shahnaz Hamed, a member of the relations office.
At the beginning of the meeting, Abdul Karim Haji expressed gratitude to France for its support of the Kurdish people and their just cause. He also presented a detailed overview of the role of the Kurdish National Council and its struggle within the framework of the Syrian opposition, along with the council’s political vision for the future of Syria.
The delegation emphasized the importance of guaranteeing the legitimate national rights of the Kurdish people and protecting the rights of all ethnic and religious components in Syria’s future constitution.
They also stressed the need for the European Union to play a more active role in supporting a political solution in Syria and to exert pressure on the transitional authorities in Damascus to ensure these rights are enshrined within a democratic, decentralized constitution that guarantees equality and justice for all Syrians.
During the meeting, the delegation also highlighted the necessity of delivering humanitarian aid to Kurdish areas through neutral humanitarian organizations, specifically referencing the Barzani Charity Foundation to ensure assistance reaches those in need.
For her part, Chloe Riddle reaffirmed her support for the Kurdish cause, expressing appreciation for the Kurdish people’s struggle and admiration for their resilience.
The two sides also exchanged views on the latest developments in Syria, stressing the importance of continuing such meetings and strengthening dialogue and cooperation in the coming period.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the delegation delivered an official letter from the Kurdish National Council in Syria to the European side, along with documents highlighting the suffering and grievances of the Kurdish people.
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Kurdistan Region Presidency Condemns Attack on UAE Consulate, Urges Baghdad to Fulfill Responsibilities
ARK News.. The Kurdistan Region Presidency strongly condemned the attack that targeted the consulate of the United Arab Emirates in Erbil on Saturday, calling on the federal government in Iraq to fulfill its responsibilities in protecting diplomatic missions.
Statement Text: The Kurdistan Region Presidency strongly condemns the attack that targeted today (Saturday, March 14, 2026) the Consulate General of the United Arab Emirates in Erbil, which resulted in the injury of two guards and caused damage to the consulate building.
While we wish the injured a speedy recovery, we stress the necessity for the Iraqi federal government to fulfill its duty in protecting diplomatic missions, preventing the recurrence of such attacks, and identifying and punishing those responsible so that the country’s security and interests are not endangered again.
Kurdistan Region Presidency
March 14, 2026
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